Quit advises smokers to wait until after New Year celebrations have finished to butt out

With New Year's Eve just around the corner, Quit is urging smokers to give themselves a break and put plans to kick the habit on hold until after the busy holiday season.

Manager of Quit Support Programs, Mr Luke Atkin said although New Year's Day is one of the most popular times to quit smoking, it is also one of the hardest.

"More smokers aim to quit at New Year than any other time. However often during this frantic and festive time of year people find it hard and are easily tempted to continue smoking, making them feel discouraged that their attempt to quit has gone awry."

Mr Atkin said quitting smoking was the best single thing any smoker could do for their health but sometimes waiting a few weeks makes all the difference and gives you the best shot at a successful quit attempt.

"Quitting smoking is the perfect way to kick off a New Year and we absolutely behind smokers who have put quitting on their agenda in 2010, but our advice is wait until the festivities are over before quitting."

Mr Atkin said shouldn't be too disheartened if an initial quit attempt in the holiday season doesn't go as planned.

"The most important thing is that you want to quit. See this as a minor setback and not a failure, and plan to have another go as soon as possible."

"We know the overwhelming majority of smokers want to quit, but it can often take multiple attempts to quit successfully. Services such as the Quitline are available to provide free support and guidance so no one ever has to feel on their own and without help as they try to negotiate life without cigarettes."

Top tips to assist you to quit smoking

Do something else instead of smoking: read a magazine, listen to a favourite piece of music, go for a 10 minute walk, call a friend, watch a funny video.

Make some areas non-smoking (the car, your desk, the kitchen, in front of the TV).

Try doing things where you cannot easily smoke: go to the movies, try a new restaurant, go swimming.